Open lecture by American professor Shaiken Tattym unites Almaty residents in the fight against cancer: KazNU's contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 1, 3, 8 - 10, 17)

On November 29, 2025, Al- Farabi KazNU held a large-scale open leadership lecture, which attracted the attention of not only the university community but also residents from across Almaty. The event, dedicated to the nature of cancer and modern approaches to its treatment, became a shining example of how academic initiatives directly contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Knowledge for a healthy and prosperous life

The lecture was presented by an outstanding American scientist of Kazakh origin , the general director of the Peri - Nuc laboratory. Labs LLP and Research Professor at Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, USA) Shaiken Tattym — a graduate of the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology at KazNU , whose career has become an example of successful international scientific activity. The open format of the event allowed residents from different districts of Almaty to gain access to world-class knowledge on one of the main challenges of modern healthcare.

Professor Shaiken emphasized that the nature of cancer can only be fully understood through collaborative efforts and an interdisciplinary approach, and that the young scientists in the audience could make breakthroughs in cancer treatment. The scientist shared the results of his decade-long research, including cell fractionation methods he developed and the cytomatrix concept , which explains the mechanisms of cancer development. Particular attention was paid to innovative technologies for isolating malignant cells and high-throughput screening of anticancer drugs.

Partnership of science, education and society

The event, organized with the support of the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, brought together not only the university's faculty, master's students, and doctoral students, but also representatives of the city's scientific community, medical professionals, and anyone interested in healthcare issues. More than 150 people. Alina Galeeva , Member of the Board and Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs , noted a significant achievement: the opening of the Cytomatrix Center at KazNU , which unites the efforts of Kazakhstani and American scientists in the fields of cell biology and oncology.

Shaiken's Open Lecture Tattima has become a shining example of how the university is fulfilling its mission to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals:

SDG 1 (No Poverty) : Access to quality scientific education and medical knowledge for all segments of the city's population contributes to improving living standards and creating opportunities for economic growth through the development of the biotechnology industry.

SDG 3 (Good health and well-being) : Improving knowledge about the nature of cancer and modern methods of its diagnosis and treatment directly affects the improvement of public health and well-being of citizens.

SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) : Developing university research capacity and training highly qualified specialists in biotechnology creates the preconditions for the creation of innovative jobs and sustainable economic development in the region.

SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) : The establishment of the Cytomatrix Center and the introduction of advanced cancer research technologies strengthen Kazakhstan's scientific and innovative infrastructure and contribute to the development of the biotechnology industry.

SDG 10 (Reduce Inequalities): An open lecture format and free access to world-class knowledge for all city residents, regardless of social status, education, or professional background, contribute to reducing educational and information inequality. The University provides equal opportunities to obtain up-to-date scientific information for students and faculty, as well as ordinary citizens, healthcare workers from various institutions, and representatives of various social groups. This helps overcome barriers to accessing cutting-edge medical knowledge and creates the conditions for a more equitable society where high-quality education and health information are accessible to everyone.

SDG 17 (Partnership for Sustainable Development) : Collaboration between KazNU , American scientific institutions and the local community demonstrates the effectiveness of international partnership in addressing global health issues.

Open Door Science

The lively discussion following the lecture demonstrated the high interest of Almaty residents in scientific advances in oncology. Participants received detailed answers to their questions and highly valued the opportunity to directly interact with a leading world-class specialist.

The open nature of the lecture underscores Al- Farabi KazNU's commitment to the principles of accessibility of scientific knowledge and active engagement with the city community. Such events not only enhance scientific literacy but also strengthen ties between the university and city residents, bringing science closer to the people and demonstrating its practical importance for improving the quality of life for everyone.

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